Traveling conveyer.



No. 857,125. PATENTED JUNE 18, 1907.

I.H.VZENN.

TRAVELING GONVEYER. APPLICATION FILED MAB..-20, 1901. RENEWED NOV.10. 1906.

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No. 857,125. PATENTED JUNE 18,1907.

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' ISAAC VENN, OF YONKERS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, "A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

TRAVELING CONVEYER.

Patented June 18,1907.

Application filed March 20, 1901. Renewed No e ber It), 1906. Serial No 342,904.

set forth hereinafter and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation of my improved conveyer in section through the platforms and cross pieces; Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line 2-2, Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 33, Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a detached enlarged end view of one of thesteps and its connected links Fig. 5 is a view of the track at one side.

Each step A has atread 1, riser 2, and side pieces 3, 3, the riser being curved, the curve of the riser conforming to an arc the chord of which is at right angles to the tread, and the forward edge of the tread of each step meets the face of the riser of the next forward step which has such a movement in passing from a position with its tread level with the pre ceding tread to a position above it, that the substantial contact of the forward edge of the tread and the face of the riser will be preserved at all points of movement. This movement results from the character of the link connection between the steps. Thus to each side of each step is pivoted at the point :0 one end of a link B, the other end of which is'pivoted to the side of the succeeding step at the point y, thus forming a chain of which the steps constitute the alternate links. The point as is near the riser of the step and far ther from the tread than the point y which is nearer the tread.

At the lower rear part of each step is aproj ection 4, preferably formed by an extension of the side of the step below the riser and the forward portion of the preceding step near the tread is formed to engage and rest upon the projection when one step has risen the proper stepped distance above the other and prevents the descent of the lower step. A chain of steps thus linked together may 0ccupy a position with all the treads on the same plane or some parts of the chain may be brought to an inclined stepped position, as in a stairway, and as in changing from a horlzontal to an inclined position, the riser of each step will meet the edge of. the tread of the succeeding step at all points of movement and there will be no play between the steps and no opening or space into which anything can pass, so that with an endless chain of such a character properly guided a traveling conveyer is formed, any part or parts of which may be horizontal or inclined, and which is adapted to convey persons or material. To properly support such an endless chain, I make use of forwarding and return rails adapted to independent series ofbearings on the steps.

As shown, there are side and intermediate bearings, the side bearings being anti-friction rolls 5 turning on studsv concentric with the pivot points 00, while the intermediate bearings are rolls 6 turning on centers concentric with the pivotal points y. In the structure shown there are two platforms, a lower platfrom at X and upper platform at Y and an intermediate line of stairway, and to properly support the chain of steps to secure this arrangement, there is at each side a track or rail D and at the center a track or rail E. The track D has a lower horizontal section 8, an upper horizontal section 9 and an intermediate inclined section 10, and on this track travels the side bearings at the points 00, that is, the antifriction rolls 5 when rolls are used.

The track E serves as a support between the'ends of the steps when the latter are in line horizontally, and for this purpose affords a rest for the bearings at y. The track E is parallel to the tracks D adjacent to the parts 8, 9, Where the steps are to be supported with their treads on the same plane, and said track E may be at any desired distance from the plane of the tracks D; and to compensate for the difference in position the forward bearing roll 6 is of a different diameter from the roll 5 so as to bear on the track E when the roll 5 bears on the part 8 of the track D and thus afford a support front and rear with the step tread horizontal.

The track E diverges from the tracks D at the points where the parts 8 and 9 join-the inclined section of the tracks D so that as the points a; 3 of a step are brought into the same inclined plane with those of the preceding steps, the forward part of each step takes its bearing on the next higher step and the tread of the wheels 6 is'then below that of-the wheels 5, requiring a different relative posi tion of the tracks D E, the track E being above the plane of the tracks D at the horizontal portions 8, 9, and below where the track E extends beneath the inclined portion of the stairway. As each step bears on the projection of the next higher step and is supported by the latter at the inclined part of the structure the track E may be discontinued at such inclined part. Beyond the horizontal sections 8, 9, the tracks D are curved to direct the chain to or from the return section of the tracks which return section consists of the side tracks F with two curved terminalfsections 12, 13, and intermediate section' l l on which only the wheels 5 bear. Above each track D is a guard rail which may be continued to and form part of the track F and the track D may be ("ontinned to form the guard rail 11 opposite the track F, but the track E is not required on the return track and may be discontinued at some point opposite the curved parts of the upper tracks. The wheels 6 may be supported on shafts or axles 18 extending between the sides of the steps; and with these shafts may engage toothed driving wheels 19 on a shaft 20 extending to one side of the structure and driven by any suitable mechanism.

It will be seen that in the structure described the forward part of each step is supported by the next higher step at the inclined part of the stairway, and that there fore but one track is required at each side at this portion. It will also be seen that the bearings 5 travel forward continuously on the same track and that there is no transfer of either bearing from one track to another and frogs or switches are not required. It will further be seen that as each link passes from a position in line with the track to one at an angle to the track, as each step takes position on the upper horizontal part of the track it will not move forward so rapidly as the rate of ascent at the inclined part of the structure owing to the fact that as the preceding step assumes a position with its head level with that on the horizontal track the linkage will cause a relatively backward movement (practically a slower forward movement) of the horizontally traveling step. In other words, as a result of the linkage described, the horizontal distance between the centers of the bearing faces or treads of adj acent steps is altered by the change in direction of movement, so that the inclined portion of the chain of steps will travel at a greater rate of speed than those portions which are horizontal, the lowest step of the horizontal steps.

inclined portion passing upward more quickly as it leaves its position in line with the lower It will be seen that as the speed at the horizontal sections of the footway is reduced there is not such a sudden change of movement of the passengers as would otherwise occur and less liability to jolt them or disturb their positions A like result ensues as the chain reaches the curved terminal parts of the tracks and the ilnks are brought into the same curved lines.

It will be seen that there is a rail bearing for the wheels 5 above as well as below the same. This constitutes one means for preventing any tilting of the steps by the rising of the rear of the riser portion in changing from the inclined to the horizontal lines of travel.

Without limiting myself to the precise construction and arrangement shown, I claim:

1. A traveling stairway consisting of alternating steps and links, each link connected to one step at a point adjacent to the riser and to the next step at an independent point nearer the forward end, substantially as set forth.

2. A traveling stairway consisting of alternating steps and links, the steps in front and rear of each intermediate step connected to the latter at each end at independent points substantially as set forth.

3. A traveling stairway consisting of a series of links, the alternate links consisting of steps, the risers of each step constructed to meet the edge of the tread of the succeeding step in any position which the steps may take while linked together to form either steps or a platform, substantially as set forth.

4. A traveling stairway consisting of a series of links, the alternate links consisting of steps, the riser of each step constructed to meet the edge of the tread. of the succeeding step in any position which the steps may take while in the form of steps or a platform and the tracks adapted to bearings on the steps arranged to guide the chain to travel in pivoted together at points permitting the links to coincide with the same inclined plane when the steps are in stepped position, and to occupy inclined positions between the steps when the treads of the latter are on the same plane, tracks, and bearings on the steps adapted'thereto, arranged to support the steps in each position, substantially as set forth.

7. "The combination of a series or steps and intermediate connecting links, hearings on the steps and tracks supporting the same arranged to permit the links to assume a position coinciding with the same plane to bring the steps to step position, and to asbe in line when the chain is inclined, bearings on the steps, and tracks partly inclined and partly horizontal, the links and steps connected to impart greater speed to the port-ion of the conveyer which is traveling on the inclined part of the rails, substantially as set forth.

9. In a traveling stairway, a continuous chain consisting of alternating jointed steps and links with bearings at the rear of each step for the front of the next step, and end and intermediate bearings on each step, and a track continuous between the ends of the structure adapted to support one set of step bearings, substantially as set forth.

10. In a traveling stairway, a continuous chain consisting of alternating ointed steps and links with bearings at the rear of each step for the front of the preceding step, end and intermediate bearings for each step, a

track continuous between the ends of the structure adapted to support one set of step bearings, at each side, and a track for the intermediate bearings adjacent to each horizontal portion of the main track, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination of a chain consisting of alternating steps and links, continuous upper tracks partly horizontal and partly inclined, side bearings on the steps resting continuously on said tracks intermediate bearings, and a track sup orting the latter step bearings independent y of the other tracks, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination of a chain consisting of alternating steps and links, forwarding and return tracks and guard rails, part of each track continuous with part of the guard rail, side bearings on the steps adapted to the said rails, an independent upper track, and. bearings on the steps adapted to the independent track, substantially as set forth.

13. The combination with the forwarding tracks, of steps having separated roller bearings on fixed axes, other roller bearings on fixed axes in intermediate positions on the steps, and an independent track therefor, and links connected to the steps at the axes of the roller bearings, substantially as set forth.

14. The combination of continuous parallel rails in the same vertical plane constituting forwarding and return tracks and guards, a chain of alternating steps and links, side bearings on the steps adapted to said tracks, and a bearing on each step adapted to support the forward part of the succeeding step when in stepped position, substantially as set forth.

' 15. The combination of continuous parallel rails in the same vertical plane constituting forwarding and return tracks and guards, a chain of alternating steps and links, side bearings on the steps adapted to said tracks, a bearing on each step adapted to support the forward part of the succeeding step when in stepped position, other step bearings, and an independent track therefor. substantially as set forth.

16. The combination with a chain of alternating steps and links, of independent series of bearing rolls and independent track supports therefor, the links pivoted at the axes of the side bearing rollsfsubstantially as set forth.

17. The combination with a chain of alternating steps and links, of independent series of bearing rolls, the links pivoted at the axes of the side bearing rolls, independent track supports therefor on the forwarding part of the track, and a return track for one series of bearings, substantially as set forth.

18. The combination in a traveling stairway, of a series of steps each having end and intermediate bearings on fixed axes at different' distances from the tread, a pair of links connected to each two steps at the axes of the adjacent bearing points, the riser of each step conforming to the path in which moves the adjacent edge of the tread of the preceding step, side tracks having horizontal, inclined and curved rail sections, and supplemental sections adjacent to the horizontal sections, substantially as set forth.

19. The combination of the chain of steps each with a projection 4 at its rear part constituting a bearing for the front of the next step to prevent the descent of the latter, substantially as set forth.

20. In a traveling conveyer the combination of tracks, steps, links, a single support at each end of the step bearing on the tracks, and contact parts on adjacent steps for the purpose of-maintaining a predetermined relation between the steps, substantially as set forth.

21. In a traveling conveyer, steps supported at theirends and by-contact with adjacent steps, substantially as set forth.

22. In a traveling conveyer, the combination of steps having treads and convex risers in which the chord of the arc of the convex riser is at right angles to the tread, substantially as set forth.

23. In a traveling conveyer, the combination of guides, steps and links arranged to maintain contact between the steps while on both horizontal and inclined planes and to alter the distance between centers of the bearing surfaces or treads by change in the. 25. The combination with the chain of direction of movement of the conveyer, subalternate steps and links, and wheels for supstan-tially as set forth. porting the steps, of means for preventing 15 241. In a traveling stairway, a chain conthe lifting of the rear portions of the steps.

sisting of a series of links of bearings, rails or In testimony whereof I have signed my supports arranged to guide the chain both in name to this specification in the presence of inclined and horizontal paths, and connectwo subscribing Witnesses.

ti-ons whereby the links are maintained in I H VENN juxtaposition in traveling both paths whereby greater speed is imparted to the portion Witnesses:

of the chain on the inclined part of the path, 'H. i G. OGDEN J12,

substantially as set forth. H. M. GILLMAND, Jr. 

